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When I was writing about new options and features were brought by Android 4.4 Kitkat in my Samsung Galaxy SIV, there was a new feature called floating keyboard I didn't include because the feature was suddenly gone and I can't find it. FYI, the floating keyboard feature will make the keyboard floats and movables to any parts of the screen so that you can use the whole screen to display currently open application.

After some further investigations, I found that floating keyboard will be automatically disabled when I turned on magnification gestures feature. I guess, it's because the magnification gestures feature doesn't work in the keyboard therefore the user is only allowed to display the keyboard in the normal state. So, if you're also experiencing the same problem with me(can't find the floating keyboard icon) then you can bring it back by turning off the magnification gesture…

If you're like me, after Samsung Galaxy SIV was updated to Android 4.4 Kitkat, the most of new features are added in the Accessibility settings. One of which is called magnification gestures. This feature will allow you to zoom in or out by using gesture in any screen easily.

How to enable or disable magnification gestures?
Generally, there are two methods available that you can use to enable or disable this option. Oh, I've just remembered, a few days ago, an insider asked me why her phone automatically zoomed out if she tapped the screen rapidly while she was playing a game. Apparently, she has accidentally enabled magnification gestures on her phone. So, if you're also experiencing this problem, you can use the step below to disable the magnification gestures.

Method #1: From the Settings menuGo to Settings.Tap My device tab.Scroll down to find Accessibility, then tap it.Scroll down to find Magnification gestures, then tap ON/OFF switch to enable or disable this option. W…

After my Samsung Galaxy SIV had updated to Android 4.4 Kitkat, I then dug into the Settings menu to discover new options or features were brought by this Android version. Soon, I noticed that most of new features are added under the Accessibility menu, one of which is called Single tap mode(this is my favourite one). This feature will allow you to dismiss/snooze alarm or timers as well as answering or rejecting call with a single tap.

Well, if you usually access the Accessibility settings through the Settings menu, you can access it easier and faster from any screen by adding its shortcut to the device options by using the Show shortcut option. Through this option, you can also show the TalkBack shortcut to the device options.

How to show Accessibility and/or TalkBack shortcut in the device options?
Below are the steps to do so:Go to Settings.Tap My device tab.Scroll down to find Accessibil…

One of advantages owned by Android phones, including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV, is easiness to install third-party apps, either from the official source, Google Play Store, or from another unofficial sources. This of course will help you when you are not satisfied with the stock apps performance or when the stock apps don't have a feature you're looking for.

One of the most frequently installed third party apps is a keyboard app. Well, though the Samsung Galaxy SIV has been equipped with the stock Samsung keyboard, but some users said that some features in this keyboard app don't work in line with their expectations. When you already have installed third-party keyboard app in your phone, you can change the input method so that you can use that keyboard app.

How to change input method?
Generally there are two methods available that you can use to switch between installed keyboa…

Samsung Galaxy SIV has come with the stock virtual keyboard that can be used by users when they want to enter texts or write a message or email. This keyboard allows you to enter texts, numbers, symbols, etc. To get a better performance and help you typing better, you can customize available options in the Samsung keyboard settings according to your need.

How to customize Samsung keyboard settings?
By default, the Samsung keyboard is displayed in QWERTY. To go to the Samsung keyboard settings, there are two methods available:Method #1: From a screen or app where you can enter text
As the example, in these steps, I go to the Samsung keyboard settings menu when I'm composing a new text message in the Messaging app:On the on-screen keyboard, tap and hold the key in the left side of the space bar.On pop up menu select Settings icon to enter the settings menu. Method #2: From the Settings menuGo to Settings.Tap My device tab.Scroll down to find Language and input, then tap it.Tap the S…

Indeed, Samsung Galaxy SIV isn't equipped with a physical keyboard, but you can use the virtual keyboard to replace the physical keyboard functions. You can use the stock Samsung keyboard app in a screen or app where you can enter text, such as Messaging app, Email app, Internet app, etc.

How to use the stock virtual keyboard in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
FYI, I wrote these steps using the stock QWERTY Samsung keyboard in the Messaging app. So, you may see a different keyboard key in another apps.In the letters keyboard, use these options:Tap letter keys (a,b,c, etc) to enter text.Tap numeric keys (1,2,3, etc) to enter number.Tap to delete incorrect character, or tap and hold to delete a whole word or field.Tap to move to the new row.Single tap to change the case of text (capital letter or not), or Double tap to switch to all capital.Tap to enter space.Tap and hold the key in the left side of the space bar to switch between some options available, such as:Microphone icon : select t…

There are some conditions where you don't want disturbed by incoming calls or notifications unless those are really important or urgent. Luckily, Samsung Galaxy SIV has provided a feature called Blocking mode which will allow you to block notifications from certain feature during a specified period of time.

How to enable, disable and configure Blocking mode in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
Generally, there are two methods available that you can use to do so. You can see them all below.

Method #1: From the Notification panel
This method allows you to enable or disable Blocking mode feature quickly, but it doesn't allow you to configure options under this feature so the latest configuration will be used.Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers to open the notification panel.Tap Blocking mode button to enable or disable this option. When the button shows green means the option is enabled and you'll see the Blocking mode icon is displayed on the status bar.

There are some conditions where you may have difficulty to use your phone with your hands, such as while you're driving. Luckily, Samsung Galaxy SIV has provided a useful feature called Hands-free mode which will allow you to use your phone without touching it because while this feature is turned on, your phone will read out for incoming calls/messages/alarms/schedules and you can use S Voice Hands free to interact with your phone using voice commands.

Aside from Hands-free mode, there's a feature in this phone called Flight mode which will also allow you remain using your phone in specific condition(in an area where radio transmitter is prohibited such as during flight). Enabling this feature will turn off calling, messaging and network features. By default, It'll also turn off connectivity features, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but if you want to use them while you're…

When I was digging into the Settings menu in my Samsung Galaxy SIV, I found an option called Hands-free mode. In a quick view, I noticed that this feature as same as Driving mode feature in an old Samsung Galaxy phones. Basically, Hands-free mode is designed to allow the user using the phone without touching it because the phone will read for the selected options in Hands-free mode, for example reads out incoming calls or incoming messages.

How to enable, disable and configure Hands-free mode?
FYI, enable this feature will turn on Air gesture feature to allow you using the Air call accept while you're in this mode and also enable S Voice Hands-free to allow you to interact with your phone using voice command. To enable Hands-free mode, you can use one of two methods below.

Method #1: From the Notification panel
You can quickly enable/disable Hands-free mode through notification panel, but this method doesn't allow you to configure this feature so the default configuration of th…

If you've had updated your Samsung Galaxy SIV to Android 4.4 Kitkat, you may noticed that now there are some new features available in your phone. One of which is called Assistant menu. This feature will allow you to move quickly to frequently used options or actions. Theoretically, this feature is designed to assist users with reduced dexterity.

How to enable or disable Assistant menu in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
below are the steps to do so:Go to Settings.Tap My device tab.Scroll down to find Accessibility, then tap it.Scroll down to find Assistant menu, then tap the OFF/ON switch next to the option to enable or disable Assistant menu. When the switch is in the right side or shows green means the option is turned on.

How to configure settings of the Assistant menu in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
Below are the steps to do so:Wherever you are, tap Assistant menu icon and then tap Settings button.Tap Dominant hand option to optimize the Assistant menu button for use on the left side of the screen …